3 Reasons Why People Hate Transition Lens

I love transition lens. I would not leave the optical store without it.
Though, in my first video about transition lens, I got a lot of people tell me they HATED transition lens.
Instead of me arguing with them in the comment section, this video, I will look at 3 common reasons why people hate their transition lens and I will address them.
Here is my video on Regular transition • Transition 8 Lenses: I... that garnered so much hate and likes.
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• Oliver Peoples Review-...

[@tellmestraight]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video!

[@west-Co_exploration]

I have the Gen 8 transitions, and your second point is still a major problem. They do not lighten quickly enough. I live in a very hot very sunny region and after they have darkened completely (and they get very dark) when I walk into a store it takes 8 to 10 minutes for them to lighten enough for me to be able to read price tags and labels. I end up having to carry a second pair of glasses to use indoors, This is completely unacceptable. And of course the number one issue is that they do not stay dark in a car where you need sunglasses to drive. If I have to switch glasses every time I get in the car I might as well get basic lenses and wear my sunglasses whenever I'm in the sun. The new Zeiss "adaptive sun" lenses may solve this issue, because they are supposed to be faster and yet stay mildly tinted when indoors or in the evening. They also darkened to 60 or 70% in the car.

[@quickpickle]

ive got the gen 8 lenses and im super happy with them. Transition times are just fine.

[@MUSHFIQ_H]

What is the price?

[@erik.a.kaiser]

I'm doing research on photochromics, and I find Ken. Great job.

[@cyclehavenbanks9851]

Just makes the glasses more useful. If I’m outside all day I’ll probably put on the prescription sunglasses but the transition are good enough. I don’t use my old glasses anymore.

[@macraghnaill3553]

I have been wearing "Photochromic" glasses since 1975, [Reactions Rapide"] I wouldn't wear anything else, they also protect against cateracts. I have been wearing them for so long I can't tell when they change colour

[@RyanReta97]

This actually cleared up my doubt on whether they changed less in the shade✌️✌️

[@nicolebradley3959]

Regular transtions go really clear really fast. I however don't really notice any difference between xtraactive lenses and the regular transtions lenses, I have noticed a lil bit of a tint indoors clearer at night. But as they change from sunglasses to clear lenses I really don't know the difference, They seem like they change fast too me from sunglasses to clear,

[@viazuaga]

Thank you, Ken.

[@trentc7329]

Is it safe to clean transition lenses in an ultrasonic cleaner regularly? Will it affect the color change?

[@midomax5773]

Hey Doc, I really love your glasses, where did you get these particular ones and what are they called? Thank you!

[@ckinard2]

Thank you so much for this information I decide to go with the Zeiss photo fusion with dura vision with extra gray and love them have them paired up with Oakley hex jector camo frames.

[@LadyBovine]

How fast they transition apparently depends on a lot on the air temperature. I've seen tests where they (Transition gen 8) take upward of 4 minutes (sometimes much longer) to transition back to reasonably clear. Even 1.5 minutes is too long if you depend on your glasses to see, and you go between inside and outside frequently, for example if you're doing diy/garden work on the weekend, working on/under a car, you're delivery driver etc. These glasses are still too slow for a lot of people.

[@minakshitiwari8285]

My glasses takes less than 1 min.some time 30 second

[@LadyBovine]

@@minakshitiwari8285 I've never seen a test even close to that speed (from full dark), so unless you have actually timed it, I don't believe you. Either way I'm guessing you're in a warm climate, and the transition is MUCH slower in the cold.

[@SWLinPHX]

​@@LadyBovine Actually, severe heat makes some Transitions lenses not get as dark. But which Transitions line are you talking about: Gen. 8 (or earlier)? Vantage? XTRActive? XTRActive Polarized? XTRActive Mirrored? Drivewear? etc.

[@LadyBovine]

@@SWLinPHX yeah, ok. But yeah I'm talking about gen 8. I've never seen demonstrations of those going full dark to full clear in a minute, and forget about 30 seconds. They seem to take a few minutes to get to "almost" clear. But if someone can record a demonstration showing otherwise, that would be great.

[@SWLinPHX]

@@LadyBovine Probably takes longer than 30 sec. under many conditions. Are you saying they NEVER get fully clear or how long do they take to get that clear? Do you own or have you tried them?

[@jsmith5443]

What kind of glasses do you recommend to protect from artificial and sunlight the best?

[@Native722]

Can transition work with super high prescription like -12?

[@treydrier3169]

This is very helpful. I like transition lenses. There is one issue though. I play softball. The odd thing about transitions is when wearing a baseball hat the bottom half of the lens is dark while the top half is clear because the bill of the baseball hat blocks the sun for only part of the lens. I hope that makes sense because I don't know how else to describe it. At first I thought there was something wrong with the lenses but I soon realized that they only block where the sun hits that the lens. 95% of the time this works great but not for playing outdoor sports. Much better as a lifestyle lens.

[@paganphil100]

I recently bought a pair of glasses with transition lenses (Gen 8, amber colour) and I have the same problem mentioned in this video.....they don't get dark enough even outside on a bright sunny day. I can see no noticeable darkening at all looking through them although when I look in a mirror they do seem slightly darker "from the outside".

[@DanielSturge]

Aome of that is your eyes adjusting to the tint. Your eyes, like cameras will make changed to light as the light changes up to a specific point. They may not seem darker because hour eyes may be letting more light in as they darken given the illusion that it isn't actually darker.

[@jsmith5443]

Thank you so much! I am about to get a new pair of prescription glasses.

[@Beltran15x]

I hate how long they take to go back to normal once you go inside you literally can't see for like ten minutes because it's so dark especially in the winter mine get extremely dark

[@DR-zj4od]

Transition lenses are the ONLY type I purchase for my main set of glasses. I will buy a set of regular glasses for strictly sunglasses or single vision clear "Movie" glasses (I wear progressive lenses). Buy name brand transition lenses but even Zenni's stuff works great (for 1 year). These work as a great backup pair of sunglasses and I do buy a set of sunglasses that are very dark but, when you only have one set of glasses with you they will still work as sunglasses! Also you may need some sunglasses in a car so yes, you will need a set of sunglasses but if you leave them behind you still are wearing a good set of sunglasses.

[@francoisbelangerboisclair]

I would classify the Transition or any chromatic lenses as a do it all: but not so well... I got a pair several years ago but decided never against... Now I changed my mind because of the low cost ordering online. They are not my primary pair of glasses. It's probably defeat purpose of chromatic lenses. But I feel they are good as a secondary pair I can wear when I have a good lighting inside and want protection outside. But in the evening, I don't like the tint it keep inside and they are not really a solution for driving. That why I also have a pair of polarized and one of clear lenses.

[@conundrum2313]

This only to apply if you live somewhere with moderate temperatures: unless I was full on scammed by a big name optician, I have gen 8 lenses and in the cold they take forever to go clear, in the heat they never get dark. Where I live you get maybe a month or two out of the year where it isn't either too hot or too cold.

[@fatjoshddr]

i love my transitions! i have a brown colored transition lens in my tortoiseshell Gittin Any? Chrome Hearts frames. Goes great with the frames, and they can double as my sunglasses!

[@eyeguyken8042]

Really good choice. We sell chrome hearts all the time. Why spend 1k for a pair of glasses if you're not getting the "works" with transition and also the best coating for the lens? Lens are as important as the frame for glasses

[@212roblox212]

Does brown or grey tinted help better to hide dark circles?

[@freedomchannel3656]

Is it true transition lenses only last approximately 3 years and the tint on them gets lighter in the sunlight

[@enfield7123]

I love other people's apinions on things it makes me think what atuly do they know about something

[@jenniturtleburger3708]

I have a question for you. I wear TransitionXtra, the darkest transition lenses. My question is, since I’m always wearing my glasses am I missing out on important wave lengths that my eyes need to stay healthy?

[@Dudelikescake]

I’m no expert, but isn’t the entire point of these and traditional sunglasses to remove light that could be harmful to your eyes.

[@jenniturtleburger3708]

@@Dudelikescake Ya, but I’m wonder if it’s also blocking good light. I remember reading or hearing somewhere that always wearing sunglasses outside blocks some spectrum of light your eyes need a bit of to stay healthy.

[@LewyLewy2008]

This is helpful information, but my concern is whether they will darken inside when I’m at work - particularly if I’m sitting at a desk near windows that don’t block UV light. Long ago that used to happen to me. An optician told me that in the older buildings in my city the windows usually don’t block UV light. So, unfortunately the lenses will be darkened to some extent even when I’m inside such buildings. I’m not keen on that, as I don’t think it’s a very professional look in the office or on Zoom meetings when working remotely.

[@lipeteixeira]

Omg, I just bough one and I’m pretty sure that the windows in the building were I work on does not have UV protection 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@idontcarewherejustfarr]

Hell yeah, they do darken quite a bit and it's not a good look at work. I hate them and I'm changing them soon

[@LewyLewy2008]

@@idontcarewherejustfarr that was my experience too. They don’t tell people about that.

[@alyasoul8389]

I need to do eye vision test and get lenses for eye glasses I already have. How much usually it will cost me?

[@curlyhairdudeify]

But then from Warby Parker.

[@chelseajane9626]

Yer I love my transition lenses but the time it takes to transition back once inside does make me feel very off kilter and at times I feel nauseous.

[@terriem3922]

very good explanatipns

[@TheCerealHobbyist]

I have avoided them as they never seemed to be completely clear indoors, which is maddening. Is this still the case?

[@Ten_Znany]

Depends which one will you choose. If you pick clarity focused one they should be crystal clear, but they'll not darken enough to be shades alternative

[@212roblox212]

Does brown or grey tinted help better ro hide dark circles?

[@SWLinPHX]

Both will hide. Go with what looks best with your skin tone and frames (brown w/gold or tortoiseshell, gray w/silver or black frames, etc.)

[@johnmilner7603]

I’ve owned 2. One pair only went grey in the sun and light brown in the dark. Useless Smith brand. The one I owned in the 70’s were glass and worked well but I can’t find them. Maybe they broke.

[@cmcg1190]

From the start, my transition lenses were way too dark, so much so that I had trouble reading my phone, they took almost 10 minutes to transition to clear and didn't darken while driving, which is the only reason I wanted them in the first place. I should have remembered that windshields filter out UV rays... Also, the optician didn't educate me at all about the lenses.

[@COSMICMALCOM]

My transitions did not work for like a week.😔

[@DBlkMoses]

I absolutely LOVE my transition lens. #1, #2 or #3 does NOT apply to me.

[@reeb9016]

Yeah, if I was one of those people who was always losing things, I wouldn't be spending alot of money on my glasses and then complaining about it. 🤔

[@robertmotion]

0:27 - agree 100%. wouldn’t wear glasses without transition. /Bklyn👑

[@6kooter]

This is a bit of a surprise, I always thought the term "transition" meant the change of magnification of the lens that has no line as opposed to a bifocal lens that has a distinct line where it changes rx. The ability to become light or dark I always was thought to be referred to as "photogrey". Anyway-- I got new glasses from TSO, cost $600 and after having them redone 3 times they finally got the magnification correct, but the changing from light to dark makes them unusable. I had specified I wanted that property, but did not want them to get too dark. Alas, now that I am wearing them outside I find they get so dark that I cannot really see anything very well at all. Riding my motorcycle yesterday started becoming dangerous because they get so dark that everything has a distorted contrast and is very distracting. Colors are not natural. Is there anyway these can be fixed so they don't get so dark? Maybe some sort of intense ultraviolet treatment to artificially age and lighten them ? what about a pair of clear goggles or glasses I can wear over them to prevent them from darkening?

[@mavince]

I believe you're referring to progressive lenses where it gradually corrects like bifocals without the sharp line

[@melgrant7404]

My mum's transitions were set too dark and caused her to fall down after tripping over in the garden as she couldn't see.

[@Mouse01011]

😮

[@jakexgold3879]

Same clear looking lenses gives different level of gamma, I have 2 pairs of normal glasses, the 20 years old one gives higher gamma - the black colour don’t look so black and so can see more details in the black, … while the newer one bought in year 2017 gives darker black colour, it’s like having high dynamic contrast! Neither the two glasses I own are normal, as one gives higher brightness like higher gamma and the other gives higher dynamic contrast (and lower gamma), I can tell it because I own a third pair of glasses that was made of solid glass than plastic! Do not just look at the glasses’ shade level and effects, one has to try many lenses to see the gamma and dynamic contrast levels!

[@MrFastFox666]

"my transitions don't get dark enough, so instead lemme get these lenses which do not darken at all." Yeah, very much sense make

[@Sugaranch]

You ever heard of bang for your buck?

[@somestuffithoughtyoumightl6985]

Cheap sunglasses can protect from UV as good as rip-off expensive sunglasses, but that’s not the point. You’re buying prescription sunglasses and the convenience of one pair.

[@micahjohnsanchez3397]

Is there a difference between the New Gen Xtractive and New Gen Xtractive Polarized? Which one gets darker under direct sunlight? In the FAQs portion of the transition website it says the New Gen Xtractive gets darker than the polarized variant using the word “extra darker”. But my optometrist tells me that they don’t differ in shade. Just that one gets polarized.

[@eyeguyken8042]

HI Micah, great question. Your optometrist is correct. The new Xtractive gets darker than regular transitions and gets darker in the car but it is not polarized. Xtraactive Polarized get darker and is also a polarized lens.

[@SWLinPHX]

You will not want the XTRActive polarized however if you want to wear them indoors (watching TV, etc.) or driving at night though. Polarization makes them great for driving and being out in the sun, but that's it. XTRActive non-polarized gives you more versatility in one pair, such as indoors and night driving.

[@davidbenjamin7165]

Why are they a bad choice for indoor use?

[@mendozaconsultation]

IF you already have glasses, can you get them turned into transition lenses.?

[@hellacoorinna9995]

Yes

[@hmlab1075]

I love my Transition Lenses!!!!!

[@silentdreamer925]

Is there any way to remove the transitions without needing to get new glasses?

[@secretasianmanified]

I left my transitions glasses in my car for a couple months over the summer. It doesn't transition anymore after being stuck in dark mode. I recommend this method for getting rid of the transitions. It will be clear regardless of UV exposure. Though this was only done with a knockoff photosensitive lens.

[@hsahrish7757]

My problem is that it doesn't get dark enough and my eyes are still visible after they transition.

[@Ten_Znany]

Go for xtractive style mirrors

[@MrRyukage]

I got my transition lens from Costco. The saleswoman told me transition lens and all the other bells and whistles come standard.

[@nicolebradley3959]

Yes regular transtions don't get dark enough, especially in a car. Now the xtraactive which I've had for almost a week now they get darker and especially in a car.

[@SWLinPHX]

There is also Transitions DriveWear for daytime driving.

[@AMPProf]

Basically, I want to see the same as though who do not need Correctives! I am thinking of changing my Transition lenses to Normal lenses because: Health- Losing My ability to see in Natural Light intensities... losing my Natural ability to see in the sunlight. I would rather see uv light! Color- My ability to see the Natural shades of color outdoors! everything is a different shade than would be without!

[@SWLinPHX]

What generation and line and tint of Transitions do you have? Makes a BIG difference.

[@esteesunmundodeefectos.3592]

I love my photochromic lenses. When they dont darken enough, I just put on my magnetic level-3 clip on, and that's It! :-)

[@amitbarai4570]

I m planning to buy it. But am confused, because I play cricket sometimes and I have power also. So should I go for it

[@SahillKhn]

@@amitbarai4570 so did you bought them?

[@karenblack7117]

My transition lens take a long time to clear up when i go inside. My glasses from 4 years ago changed much quicker.

[@dplj4428]

3:12 transition, old generation, photochromatic. Photochromatic? Whatever i have, i cannot read signs, my vision is reduced. I think i would do better with clip ons.

[@janetbaldock3425]

This is so funny about the glasses not getting dark enough. My complaint is that my glasses get too dark. In fact, they get so dark that I am losing clarity. When I put my prescription sunglasses on, my clarity is perfect. With my transition glasses it seems like a fog has just set in. So disappointed.

[@robertochaves9305]

If that effect is indoors, it will probably get better with time. I notice my transitions also had a little tint indoors and the process of turning dark and clear was slower when they were newer. Now it's cristal clear indoors and get dark int he sun very fast, and back to clear.

[@kalijasin]

Why pay the high cost for transition lenses? Most places include with any lenses or glasses you buy a UV Protection coating and for free.

[@cwsspot]

Help!!🙂 I'm a professional driver. I spend most of my time behind a windshield. I'm looking for something I can wear day and night. I have a pair of Polarized light brown Oakley sunglasses that I wear from nearly sun up to sun down and I love them. However I'm trying to get out of my contacts a lot more. So here I am. Being that I'm gone for so much of my time, getting into an optometrist is nearly impossible for me. I really like the idea of the Drivewear however I feel like they will be to dark at night. I really want something polarized and in a brown vs a gray. And I do have prescription sunglasses so I could go lighter in the tint on the new glasses and have something to change into. So? Any help? I ask because it seems you really only find reviews for Transitions vs Chromatic lens by other companies or maybe it's just because I don't know any of the other company names.

[@r1r597]

Isn’t there a ‘night and day transition lens for driving’? I think it turns yellow at night for antiglare against incoming light

[@SWLinPHX]

Polarization is not really best for nighttime driving.

[@SWLinPHX]

UV and polarized glasses usually have a yellow or blue tint to them. Headlights and streetlights are not the same as sunlight, however, and these glasses may actually be dangerous to wear at night. Polarized and darkened lenses can block out too much light at night and make it harder to see.

[@Ten_Znany]

There are transitions drivewear

[@Pacificaner]

I love mine

[@elgarnamocii3397]

for me it's help to protect ur eyes and it's help no need buy another eyeglasses

[@eyeguyken8042]

yup, a average price for a good quality sunglasses ranges between 100-200 dollars. It's about the same price or less if you just upgrade to transition.

[@monelfunkawitz3966]

The lens itself blocks the UV. Transitions just reduce visable light. I've tested my lenses in blocking uv btw that do not have transistions.

[@robertochaves9305]

I like transitions a lot. But they can't substitute sunglasses. They help preventing your eyes to burn in the sun, but don't make it really comfortable to stay outdoors in the sun for some time.

[@Haymaker72]

Thank you for this reply I guess I won’t be getting these then.

[@TheWorld-of7dd]

I think it's better to buy two pairs of glasses , clear and dark glasses

[@SWLinPHX]

Most people who need glasses have a dedicated pair of prescription sunglasses, clear glasses and then Transitions if they want. Many have non prescription sunglasses if and when wearing contact lenses.

[@robertochaves9305]

But there's no reason to not use transitions on the clear glasses. At least here in Brasil, Transitions are expensive only when comparing to less quality lenses. If you a buy a good quality pair of lenses, they will cost almost the same. And the average ones (signature) get really clear indoors, including inside the car, even in a sunny day. I guess mine use to have a little tint indoors when they were new, but then it gets better.

[@tiziwind]

Somebody have the transition mirror?they are good enough?

[@Ten_Znany]

Dark enough for sure

[@Ditty_Queen_Bee]

I hate these lenses because I seem older with them. And I like these because these are really comfortable for my eyes.

[@jm-jm7yl]

I got some transition from visionworks, they get to damn dark it’s hard to see out of them and everything looks purple don’t like the at all, have had other transition from other places that didn’t get as dark

[@tyson6819]

You're better off with prescription sunglasses

[@zmartkooky244]

All glass and polycarbonate, cheap or expensive glasses block uv

[@Fireneedsair]

You can actually compare apples to oranges, or even apples to elephants! Comparison is never about two same items. Anyway, an annoying cliche that should be retired. lol. Great video sir! Should one also get polarized transitions? Do they even exist? Thank u

[@otiebrown9999]

No, I hate the minus lens.

[@iMajed]

👍

[@jeepz9618]

4th reason, if you are in a photo outside no one can see your eyes

[@brooklynbred1460]

People complain about air,

[@quincymagoo2906]

I've just gotten my first set of transition lenses, they are gen 8 by Essilor (I checked my receipt) & I have to say they are absolute rubbish & were a complete waste of money. I suffer from dry eye & am very light sensitive, the optometrist said I needed distance glasses that would prevent eye strain whilst driving & recommended transitions lenses. I now squint even more & my eyes are sorer as they let way too much light in, they hardly change colour at all & certainly don't get anywhere near as dark as they have been shown to get in any of the KZbin video's I've seen. I know they don't get as dark behind a car windscreen, but they don't get any darker standing outside in direct sunlight. Won't be buying them again & since I don't legally need them to drive, I guess I'll go back to my non prescription Ray Ban sunglasses that I paid over $500 for 15 years ago, they do a much better job of protecting my eyes than my prescription transitions glasses.

[@billstarr5395]

Me? They are too expensive. I found better lens a lot cheaper at Zenni.

[@NekoIan66]

You didn't mention cloudy days and sunglasses. I just got some and I don't know that I always want sunglasses on a cloudy day. Yes, they're a tad less dark but they're still obviously sunglasses on a cloudy day.

[@kasetbajakan3477]

i love this lens because i fucking lazy to changed glasses at indoor and outdoor

[@LageNomAiNomAi]

I got my Xtractive lenses paid for, free, bu my Eyemed 150 insurance from The Home Depot.

[@mackury2002]

its more of an expectation management. sugar coating nor unreasonable promises will ensure acceptance when prescribed.

[@curlyhairdudeify]

3:26 I would literally roll my eyes if someone said that they don't turn clear fast enough.

[@billybobob4409]

Can’t take you serious when you sell luxottica

[@isaachudson6413]

wrong i hate mine because they flake away not long after getting them new i tried two different places to purchase and they both ended up flaking away like some bad window tint for a car it shouldn't be like that

[@robertochaves9305]

I have the same issue! But with me, it happens with every anti-glare lens, not just Transitions. The fist time I made 10 lenses. All previous 9 "flaked", as you say. With transitions, were 3. The only solution for me was to get them without anti-glare.

[@schrodingerdiscovery]

I made a bad decision to go with transition lenses some years ago, expecting the transitions to work really quickly. The very first day I walk into office in a meeting consisting of 20-25 people and they were all bemused and thought I was wearing sunglasses at the meeting because the transition lenses just wouldn't turn back to normal quickly. It was really embarrassing and looked unprofessional and that's when I decided I am never wearing transition again.

[@Tiralful]

lol, yeah you know those glasses you were sold as amazing for $500? Oh those are old gen 7 garbage now, you need the new AMAZING gen 8 now until gen 9 come out.

[@Westlake72]

Lose the background music it is SO irritating and makes it hard to sit through your videos.

[@kyleedgerton3698]

i have brand new transition lenses, they don't get dark enough, in full sun, so no its not technological advancements or the environment, they're just plain crap. would not recommend transition to anyone at all. ever. get a pair of sunglasses and normal prescription.